problem number 1.

[dga93]

So i just picked up a 1978 c10 2wd 4 days ago running fine and then 2 days later like always something goes wrong.
It was hard to start in the morning i was going to change the oil and oil filter. Noticed one of the lights were out so i picked up a new one and when i went to start it it wouldn't start at all. Friend came to help me fix the problem.
We changed the Distributor Cap, Coil, Distributor Rotor, Fuel Pump, Fuel Filter, Air Filter, Spark Plugs.
And it started to work but was coughing a lot. Then it just stopped in the middle of the road wouldn't move.
Cop friend came helped direct traffic...(was close to a walmart so people were speeding to get there or something). and after 30 mins or so it started again but with more coughing. he turned the timing up and it was running good till i put my foot down a little on the accelerator and jumped and nearly stopped again. We saw the fuel pump was leaking a bit. And now it won't start again. Any1 have any ideas at all? im not to smart with older cars.

[dswancutt]

Double check your fuel filter. You may have water in it. Also, make sure all your fuel lines are tight. You might be sucking air.

[N2TRUX]

Welcome to the forum. If these guys can't help you find the problem, It's not really broke...

[locab36]

May be the module in the dizzy or the pickup or recultor. I had an intermitten problem on my HEI dizzy where the truck would stop dead while driving. Usually at the same intersections. Found one of the wires were flexing from the vac advance moving back and fourth. I replaced the dizzy w/a new one from autozone as I was on the fly. NAPA sells the wireharness w/capacitor. I'm @ work but theres info in the service manual on how to check.

John

[Prong]

The fact that you mentioned the fuel pump leaking is important. Is it leaking from the fuel connections or the pump itself? If it's the pump itself, they can be had new for about $25.

[dga93]

Thanks for the welcome. Well i just got a new one and put it on but lost 1 of the original bolt that came off. so i got another but it started leaking.. snowing today so i cant do anything.. its out in the weather ;\ and I'm not liking the 30F since I'm used to the 100F (I'm from Australia) and to add another problem the new battery i got went dead.

[JohnC]

I agree I would start with the fuel pump, but may check the alternator since the new battery is now dead. Is the truck turning over trying to start, or just nothing?

[silvereagle07]

Does the truck crank or not start? Are you getting spark from the distributor? Describe the situation. Modules in HEI distributor do go bad. I've had a few myself.

[73chevyman]

hmmmmmmmm the altenator might be going bad also did it backfire on you and all the time when you hit the gas . if so check all the valves and make sure your cam is good by taken the valve covers off and starting it. just somethings to check

[dga93]

I found out today that the guy that towed it didn't turn the car off so the alternator is fine. Guy next door had an old motor sitting there so he pulled his fuel pipe from the pump to the filter and put it on mine, the rubber pipe that was on it was dry rotted so it wasn't getting enough gas. So that problem is fixed. Thank you all for the help.
But now i have a new problem...
When on the highway and getting up to 65 try to go higher and it feels like the truck is wanting to go and not go at the same time. I put my foot down and it feels like it wants to pull and stop at the same time. i hope I'm telling enough info.

[westie 666]

Ha sounds like mine, the problem I had was it could not get enough air, so I have removed all the smog gear and am in the process of installing a new cam, lifters and valve springs then a new twin exhaust system. All up about $2k our money or $1k yours.

[dga93]

I changed my spark plug wires today and it fixed the problem, still had the factory ones on. Hard to see because the plastic is fogged but it only has 85000 miles on it.
Now i just have to find out why my battery is going dead at night.